eprintid: 36798
rev_number: 26
userid: 7812
dir: disk0/00/03/67/98
datestamp: 2019-09-26 16:49:37
lastmod: 2019-09-26 16:49:37
status_changed: 2019-09-26 16:49:37
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: baumsa@gmail.com
item_issues_id: similar_title_37201
item_issues_type: similar_title
item_issues_description: Similar title to
Baumann, Sara
(2019)
A Visual, Community-Engaged Exploration of Menstrual Practices and Motivations Among Adolescent Girls in Far-West Nepal.
[Video]
(Unpublished)
item_issues_timestamp: 2019-07-26 06:02:14
item_issues_status: discovered
item_issues_count: 1
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Baumann, Sara
creators_email: sab269@pitt.edu
creators_id: sab269
creators_orcid: 0000-0002-6544-2825
title: A visual, community-engaged exploration of menstrual practices and motivations among adolescent girls in far-west Nepal
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_behavioralcommhealthsci
full_text_status: public
keywords: menstruation, menstrual health, Nepal, caste, chhaupadi, adolescent health, menstrual hygiene management, health behaviors
abstract: Menstrual health, a growing global public health issue, is the study of social, political, structural, educational and environmental factors that affect experiences of menstruation and impact health. Challenges associated with menstruation include the lack of access to materials and sanitation facilities, low knowledge about menstruation, and taboos and stigma that perpetuate unsafe practices. In Nepal, menstrual restrictions are widespread, putting menstruators at risk for poor health outcomes. Menstrual health research and interventions in Nepal must thoughtfully examine practices and beliefs, and propose solutions considering social values and the health and development context.
Arts-based methods and community-engaged approaches are particularly appropriate for investigating sensitive topics such as menstrual health. This dissertation first analyzes studies that have applied film methods in public health research. It then introduces a novel, visual, community-engaged research method called Collaborative Filmmaking. Finally, it presents the results from applying Collaborative Filmmaking to study menstruation in Nepal.
Results from the scoping review identified 15 film methods used in public health, which offer numerous methodological strengths such as providing rich descriptions, capturing emic perspectives, increasing comfort in participation, and empowering participants. Collaborative Filmmaking is a six-step method that builds upon these strengths. Adopting a community-engaged approach, participants of Collaborative Filmmaking are trained to create, analyze, and screen their own films in the community. Piloting Collaborative Filmmaking in far-west Nepal provided nuanced, sensory insight into menstrual practices and motivations among adolescent girls. An array of menstrual practices related to cleansing, cooking, eating and drinking, touching, worshipping, sleeping, and maintaining physical distance were uncovered. The practices fell along a continuum and varied by caste/ethnic and religious background. Motivations for following menstrual practices included religious and spiritual beliefs, family tradition, negative consequences, and social pressure.
This dissertation contributes to both visual methods and menstrual health scholarship. Collaborative Filmmaking is an effective method for engaging participants in exploring a sensitive topic, generating nuanced data, and is powerful for disseminating results. In terms of menstrual health, this dissertation extends the literature by describing key differences in menstrual practices among girls from different caste/ethnic and religious groups in Nepal for consideration in future interventions and polices.
date: 2019-09-26
date_type: published
pages: 195
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Burke, Jessica
etdcommittee_name: Ayyagari, Shalini
etdcommittee_name: Finkel, Muge
etdcommittee_name: Sommer, Marni
etdcommittee_name: Terry, Martha
etdcommittee_email: jgburke@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: sayyagari@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: mfinkel@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: ms2778@cumc.columbia.edu
etdcommittee_email: materry@pitt.edu
etd_defense_date: 2019-07-18
etd_approval_date: 2019-09-26
etd_submission_date: 2019-07-23
etd_release_date: 2019-09-26
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
thesis_type: dissertation
degree: PhD
citation: Baumann, Sara (2019) A visual, community-engaged exploration of menstrual practices and motivations among adolescent girls in far-west Nepal. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/36798/1/Baumann_Sara_dissertation_August2019.pdf